Feline Forum The Welfare Association Newsletter April/May 2020

Make Our Wish List Come True For the safety of those who care for the , the decision was made to close our doors to the public on March 16. Our ded- icated staff is taking every measure possible to protect their health and the health of their fellow staff members so our res- idents can receive the highest quality of care. We are so grateful to those kind folks who have offered to foster. We’ve seen several fosters that have since turned into adoptions! Adoptions have also been granted to those who met their match prior to March 16. In the last couple weeks, many generous souls have sent items from our Amazon Wish List to help us keep things running smoothly. If you’d like to contribute, visit our Wish List at amazon. com/hz/wishlist/ls/16SPHH93DJRLT. You can also pick up items from the list in the pink box below and drop them off outside the shelter doors between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. Staff will make sure they are brought inside. While we all wait for these difficult days to pass, make sure to catch a daily glimpse of the reason you support our mission by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/catwelfareassoc.

Shelter Wish List ● Purina Cat Chow ● Purina Chow ● Moist ● Gerber baby food in meat flavors ● Paper towels ● Paper grocery sacks ● Bleach ● Laundry detergent ● Postage stamps ● 8.5”x11” copy paper Our Mission The Cat Welfare Association is ded- Saying Farewell to Guardian Angel Chico icated to the care of and education about cats and . Our pledge It is with a heavy heart that we share our is to cherish, nurture and provide news of Guardian Angel Chico’s passing. veterinary care for homeless, abused, Chico’s dear friends, Krystal and Linda, injured and abandoned felines. We were with him at the end. strive to find each cat an appropriate, Chico arrived at our shelter in January safe and loving home, allowing those 2017. After being returned three times, he not placed to live their lives in the became a sanctuary resident and would care and comfort of our shelter. represent the shelter with off-site appear- ances. Gentle in his nature, Chico quietly sought out attention and affection. His presence will be greatly missed. We also want to express our gratitude to all who cherished Chico through our 741 Wetmore Road Guardian Angel program. Columbus, OH 43214 614-268-6096 catwelfareassoc.org Wanted: Gardeners facebook.com/catwelfareassoc Is the warmer weather inspiring you to begin plan- ning your garden? Would you consider planting Hours catnip to benefit the cats and kittens in our care? 11 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. The plant is a hardy perennial, and seeds are in- Monday, Thursday, Friday, expensive! Just grow them until the flower buds Saturday & Sunday appear, then cut them and bring them into the 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. shelter in paper bags. It’s an easy way to help Tuesday & Wednesday with this ongoing fundraiser. In 2019 our volun- teer-created catnip toys raised nearly $4,000 for (Closed the first Thursday of each our mission. month and all major holidays) The adoption fee of $20 ($10 for senior cats) includes spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, testing for feline leu- kemia and FIV, microchip identification, flea treatment & deworming.

Board of Directors President: RoseAnn Ballangee Vice President: Karen Ramey Recording Secretary: Brenda Martin Sue Godsey • Claudia Plumley • Katie Thomas

Treasurer: Judy Vertikoff Foster Program Connects Volunteers with Kittens in Need An interview by Kitty Stevens

For decades, Cat Welfare has run a foster program to help give kittens a good start in life. The program relies on the help of volunteers to handle the overwhelming number of kittens the shelter receives each year. Rose- Ann Ballangee, long-time volunteer and the current board president of The Cat Welfare Association, shares an inside look at the program.

What is Cat Welfare’s foster care program, and how did it get started? This program was started to take care of all the kittens coming into the shelter. There are so many of them, and they can’t survive in the shelter when they’re that young because they’re so susceptible to illness. This program helps connect kittens with volunteers who take care of them until they’re old enough.

How many kittens are a part of the foster care program at one time? In the summer, we can have anywhere from 300-400 kittens come through. That’s why our volun- teers’ help is so important.

How do volunteers get involved? Before starting to foster, volunteers will go through a training process to learn how to take care of the kittens. Then after they’ve started, there is a network of us to help with questions or issues that come up. One of us has most likely dealt with the problem before, so we can offer advice and help.

What can volunteers expect when they start fostering? Cat Welfare really sets up volunteers for success. We provide the food, litter and whatever the vol- unteer needs. If the kitten gets sick, the shelter will get them an appointment with one of our vets.

How long is a foster period? It depends on what the volunteer wants to do. The kittens come back to the shelter when they’re eight to 10 weeks old. Some people will care for the neonatal kittens that are one to three weeks old. This is the hardest. I’ve had to get up every two hours to feed the babies each night, and they need constant supervision. Other people like to care for the ones that are at least four to five weeks old and can eat by themselves, and others still will care for even older kittens.

Can anyone volunteer to be a foster parent? Anyone can foster, but if, say, you work a full-time job, you would want to take the older kittens that can eat on their own. We fit the foster parents to the kittens.

If someone can’t foster but wants to help the kittens, what can they do? Every year we have a kitten shower. It’s like a baby shower. People bring in all kinds of supplies like kitten food, blankets, beds, toys, litter and KMR (a milk supplement). People are so generous to us. Those supplies are given to the foster parents to help them care for the kittens.

Watch our website and Facebook page for more information about our virtual kitten shower. CWA Happy Homes

Walter & Jessie are brothers and were in a cage together. I saw Walter’s nose (right), and we were done looking. Walter is sweet and gentle. Jessie is an extrovert and loves to head- butt. They chase each other around the house (usually Jes- sie chasing Walter). They will go to the exact same spot and sit to patiently wait for a treat. We can’t imagine our lives without them. Nan & Mike

Ofie lived in the shelter for two years because she was al- I had recently moved away from home ways hiding. While she is still and missed having animals around, shy around strangers, she has so I went to the shelter looking to find warmed up to others. Now a new companion. I went through she greets her mom when she every cat, and Mango was the VERY comes home late, and they last one I saw in a cage in the cor- watch TV and nap together. Now ner. I reached my hand in to her, her mom can’t even go to the and I could tell she was scared, but bathroom without Ofie demand- she immediately began licking my ing attention. hand. I was sold from that moment Erica on. She is a VERY shy cat and it took her a while to warm up to me, but af- I adopted Ms. Roxy from the ter she did she began to sleep next shelter on June 9, 2017. Roxy to me every night and greet me when was just nine weeks old at the I came home. She still has a problem time! She is such a spoiled little with meeting new people, but she’s girl. As soon as I approached the sweetest cat. It’s now more than her cage and held my finger to a year later, and I can still say that she it, she nudged me with her head. puts a smile on my face, even though This little girl was not shy! At that her favorite hobby is meowing in my moment I knew she was the one ear at 3 in the morning. I’m fairly cer- for me. Her distinguished mark- tain I know now why she was named ings caught my attention, and I Mao Mao at the shelter! just fell in love with her. Roxy re- Alexis ally loves playing with her toys, and let’s not forget she loves to chase them all throughout the home! She really enjoys sunbath- ing and cuddling. I’m so grateful to have an amazing companion like Roxy! Angelica Thank you so much to The Cat Welfare Association! After hav- ing my former kitten adoption end with an unfortunate and untimely death from FIP, I was leery and hyper-sensitive re- garding my new adoption. The people at Cat Welfare were helpful and understanding. Af- ter working through a couple of small health issues, our little Nego is happy, healthy and, as you can see, has fit in quite well in his new home with his older sister Tatiana. When Nego isn’t playing on his cat tree, sunning himself in the window, or licking his bowl clean, he enjoys snuggling up with Tatiana. And she seems happy with the company. She especially likes it when he takes to mas- saging her with his kneading paws. Thank you again for the wonderful addition to our family. He is a joy. Rebecca Wolfrum In May of 2017, we went to Cat Wel- fare looking for a new kitty. We had After finding out I had thyroid our last baby for 17 years. Much to cancer and taking time off work, our luck, we found our Delilah. She I was bored and needed a friend. had been at Cat Welfare for a long Spice is the best thing that has time and was in need of a family. We happened to me. She lifts my were meant to be together! She was spirits. I believe I’m cancer free shy at first but is now making herself because of her company and right at home with us. She loves to love. Having a lack of thyroid play with her mice and especially makes me tired, but she gives loves looking out the window at all me life. the birds and dogs in the neighbor- Ashley hood. We are so happy to have her in our lives. She is truly a lovey. Rob & Kathy Franki is so easy going and laid back, she fits into our family perfectly. She even loves cud- dling and playing with her Gol- dendoodle brother, Graham. So glad she’s ours. Claudia & Cole Got a Happy Homes story? Upload it at catwelfareassoc.org/ share-your-happy-home-story or mail it to Cat Welfare, 741 Wetmore Road, Columbus, OH 43214. Cat Welfare: 2021 CALENDAR, PHOTO CONTEST Would your kitty like to be famous? Well, actually would YOU like your kitty to be famous? Cat Welfare invites you to submit your best photo(s) of your favorite kitties. If your photo is chosen, it will be published in the CWA 2021 Calendar, which will be on sale this fall before November 1st.

CONTEST RULES: . Be sure your photo is focused and of good quality. If your picture is blurry, then it is not likely to be selected for the calendar. The larger the JPG file size, the better the quality. . The contest is open to everyone. You can submit as many entries as you want, provided you pay the $10 entry fee for each photo. Photos may be taken from any place or time, but the subject must be a cat. Other animals may be in the photo. Sorry, no humans allowed in the photo. . You must own the rights to the photo. Photos that have appeared in CWA’s Feline Forum Newsletter or in previous calendars are eligible, provided they have not been published elsewhere. . Voting will be performed online at: http://www.catwelfareassoc.org/ beginning in April. You, your friends, and family may vote as many times for each photo you like. You must purchase a minimum of 5 votes for a $5 donation to support CWA. Forward your pet's CWA photo page to your friends and family and then ask them to donate to vote for your pet! . A panel of judges selected by the Cat Welfare Association will determine 10 winning photos from the top 20 photos with the most votes, as well as 3 photos chosen from all entries. The CWA judge’s decisions are final. Winners will be announced online at catwelfareassoc.org on August 15. . To enter the contest, starting in April, follow the steps at http://www.catwelfareassoc.org/ by uploading your JPG format photo and vote for your favorite entries. You may also enter by mailing in this form. Entry form(s) must be postmarked and electronic entries must be submitted before June 30, 2020. Voting for the contest ends at midnight EST on Friday, July 31, 2020. Be sure to include a 150 word story or description all about your cat’s rescue, adoption or favorite things to do, along with each photo. Your Name: ______Cat’s Name: ______

Street: ______City, State, Zip: ______

Daytime Phone: ______E-mail: ______

Photo Title: ______Photographer’s Name: ______

150 word story (include on separate piece of paper) ______

Number of photos enclosed: ______Entry Fee enclosed: ______($10 for each photo) By signing, I accept the below disclaimer MAIL TO: Cat Welfare, Attn: Calendar Contest 741 Wetmore Road Signature: ______Columbus, OH 43214 Disclaimer: By submitting this photo(s), you agree to transfer to The Cat Welfare Association (CWA) all rights to the photo(s) without license, limitation, or compensation. All submitted photos are property of CWA, who may do with the photo(s) what they please. If you want the photo returned, you must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your photo. CWA is not responsible for any errors, loss or damage regarding the photo entry/entries. All contestants agree to release and hold harmless CWA, all sponsors, and representatives from all claims or actions, they, their heirs, executors or assigns may have arising directly or indirectly from the contest. Winners consent to the use of their name, for advertising and publicity purposes without compensation. We Love Our Donors

Ishie Memorial Fund er, Irina & Boris Pittel, Patty & Robert Dale, Marjo- for long-term care of shelter residents rie Obrist, Betty Maynard, Molly Watts “In memo- Darin & Teresa Plummer “In loving memory of ry of Ivan,” and Annette McClure Louis Crazyman Plummer” Joey’s Good Sam Fund Mary & Jim Hope “In memory of Mary Jane Ryan, for medical care of owned cats from all the staff at Cat Welfare” Kristin Mihoci “In memory of Biscuits “Ralph” Mi- Randall Hertzer “In memory of Doug Buhrer and hoci” Jasmine Boots,” Kathryn Hess “In memory of Sim- Douglas Hoke, Ashley Pittman, & Joe Petrucci “In one Sez,” Deborah Hunter, Kristin Mihoci, Tracey memory of Justin Stepp” Larue, Camille Brubaker, and Elizabeth Garster Janice & Jerry Noltemeyer “All our kitties present “In loving memory of Rugby, who crossed the & past” Rainbow Bridge on March 3, 2020” Lynne Corbin “In memory of Sandy Corbin” Willard’s Village Babies Fund Jennifer Owen & Leigh Johnson “For Devan’s 4th for care of colonies birthday” Beth Cunningham “Mr. Tibbs” Juanita Woods “In memory of our beloved tuxe- Susan Lapp “In memory of Sharon Bischoff” do girl Lola, who died January 10, 2013 – always Richard & Lynne McWherter “In honor of Martita in our hearts,” Annie Lach, Charles & Marcia Dun- Dougherty” lop “In memory of Marty Montgomery,” Debo- Vanja & Howard Mosley “In memory of Janet Mosley” rah Hunter, Anne Riley “In memory of Mary Jane Michelle Davis, Barbara Moseley and Ruby Left- Ryan,” Juanita Woods “In memory of Willard,” wich and Richard Austin Cat-A-Lack Chow Club Altering Fund for food for the shelter residents to subsidize community low-cost spay/neuter surgeries Annie Lach, Craig Lewis “In memory of Simon,” Leslie Bothast, Craig Lewis “In memory of Micah Steven Puckett, Patricia Sweeney, Edwin & Ulla & Sara,” Joe Sharick “In honor of Lilly, Leonard, Wagers, Penny Popper, Holly Burkhard and Ra- and Nyota,” Deborah Hunter, Kirsten Osborn, mona Sietsma Cecilia Donohue “In memory of Mary Flickinger,” and Betty Maynard Vincent Fund for emergency care for shelter cats Linda Schellkopf, Leon & Patricia Cohan, Jr., Gail Kalbus, Kristin Mihoci, Janice & Jerry Noltemey-

From January through February 2020, we adopted 151 cats NOTICE: There will be no into loving homes and subsidized 334 Board meetings in April spay and neuter surgeries through our or May 2020. various Altering Fund programs. Feline Forum April/May 2020

741 Wetmore Road Columbus, OH 43214 www.catwelfareassoc.org Incorporated Under Law: As a non-profit, charitable organization RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Shelter Wish List Purina Cat Chow, Purina Kitten Chow, moist cat food, Gerber baby food in meat flavors, paper towels, paper grocery sacks, bleach, laundry detergent, postage stamps, 8.5”x11” copy paper